Exhibit (23)


            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EASTGROUP PROPERTIES, INC.

We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in the  registration  statements
(Nos.  333-134959 and  333-144785) on Form S-3 and the  registration  statements
(Nos. 33-60909, 333-91405,  333-51666, 333-117308 and 333-125719) on Form S-8 of
EastGroup Properties,  Inc. of our reports dated February 26, 2009, with respect
to the consolidated balance sheets of EastGroup Properties,  Inc. as of December
31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in
stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows for each of the  years in the  three-year
period ended December 31, 2008, and all related financial  statement  schedules,
and the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as of
December 31, 2008,  which reports  appear in the December 31, 2008 annual report
on Form 10-K of EastGroup Properties, Inc.

                                         /s/ KPMG LLP

Jackson, Mississippi
February 26, 2009













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